26 October 2018 - Daily Current Affairs

1. PM Modi inaugurates farmers' conclave Krishi Kumbha in Lucknow

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated three-day farmers' conclave 'Krishi Kumbh 2018' in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh (via video conferencing).
The 'Krishi Kumbh' is being organized to promote modern technique and diversification in agriculture that could help in doubling farmers income.
The Kumbh will witness Israel & Japan (as official partners) while Haryana & Jharkhand (as partner states).
The summit would introduce farmers to the evolving dynamics of farming so that they could increase their earnings by tapping the vast potential in agriculture and post-harvest management of crops.
The Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh would preside over the closing ceremony (28th October 2018).

2. HRD Minister launches web portal of SPARC in New Delhi

The Minister of Human Resource Development (HRD) Prakash Javadekar has launched the web portal “sparc.iitkgp.ac.in.” in New Delhi.
SPARC (Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration) scheme aims at improving the research ecosystem of India’s higher educational institutions by facilitating academic and research collaborations between Indian Institutions and the best institutions in the world.
SPARC will improve research ecosystem of India’s higher educational institutions by facilitating academic and research collaborations between Indian Institutions and the best institutions in the world from 28 selected nations.

3. Shri Rajnath Singh attends 57th Raising Day Parade of Indo-Tibetan Border Police

The Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh attended the 57th Raising Day Parade of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) at Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh.
The ITBP jawans are deployed in North East and Left Wing Extremism affected areas.
On this occasion, 1 Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak, 05 President’s Police Medals for Distinguished Service, 23 Police medals for meritorious service and 1 Jeevan Raksha Padak were awarded.
Later on, a 200-bed CAPFs Referral Hospital (at a cost of Rs 121 Crores) was also inaugurated by the Union Home Minister in Greater Noida.

4. Maneka Gandhi inaugurates the fifth edition of Women of India National Organic Festival

The Union Women and child development minister Maneka Sanjay ‘Gandhi’ has inaugurated the Women of India National Organic Festival (5^th edition) at Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts in New Delhi. (26th Oct to 4th November 2018).
The objective of the ten days long ‘Organic Festival’ is to boost organic culture and promote women, organic farmers and entrepreneurs.
The WOI Festival will have producers and manufacturers of organic products from 26 states.

Note: The WOI Festival has given a successful platform to empower women farmers and entrepreneurs in a festive and fruitful manner.

5. Children’s Film Bonanza begins in Naharlagun, Arunachal Pradesh

The state’s Information and public relation (IPR) Minister ‘Bamang Felix’ has inaugurated the two days Children’s Film Bonanza begins in Naharlagun, Arunachal Pradesh.
Internationally acclaimed film Gauru and three other films will be screened during the event.
The society is planning to screen such films related to children at the rural areas of the state with the help of the state IPR department.

Note: The film festival is being organized by the Children’s Film Society, India, in collaboration with Arunachal Pradesh Information and Public Relation Department.

International Affairs

6. NATO's biggest military maneuvers begin in Norway

The NATO's (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) biggest military maneuvers (since the Cold War) has begun in Norway.
The wargames bring together around 50,000 personnel from all 29 NATO allies, plus partners Finland and Sweden.
Around 65 vessels, 150 aircraft and 10,000 vehicles will also participate in the drill, which takes place in central and eastern Norway, the North Atlantic and the Baltic Sea. It will go on till November 7.

Note: The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is an intergovernmental military alliance between 29 North American and European countries, headquarter in Haren, Brussels (Belgium).

7. India, Bangladesh sign several agreements for enhancing inland and coastal waterways connectivity

India and Bangladesh have signed several agreements for enhancing inland and coastal waterways connectivity for trade and cruise movements.
The two countries have signed an agreement to use Chattogram and Mongla Ports in Bangladesh for movement of goods to and from India.
A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has also been signed for movement of passenger and cruise services.
These agreements will facilitate easier movement of goods and passengers between the two countries, giving an impetus to trade and tourism.

8. China successfully tests world’s largest Cargo Drone

China has successfully tested the world’s largest cargo drone Feihong-98(FH-98), carry a payload of 1.5 tonnes (1,500 Kg).
This commercial drone ‘Feihong-98’ has been developed and modified by the China Academy of Aerospace Electronics Technology.
The FH-98 has a maximum take-off weight of 5.25 tonnes (flight height of 4,500 metres) a cruising speed of 180 kmph, and a maximum range of 1,200 kms.

National Appointments

9. Wipro appoints ex-SBI chief Arundhati Bhattacharya as the Independent director

Former SBI chairperson Arundhati Bhattacharya has been appointed as an independent director of Wipro (IT company) for a term of 5 years (from 1^st Jan 2019), subject to the approval of shareholders.
Bhattacharya graduated from Kolkata's Lady Brabourne College in 1977 and picked up banking as a career option for supporting the family following her father's retirement from Bokaro Steel plant as an engineer.
On 7^th October 2013, Bhattacharya became the first woman to be appointed as chairman of SBI.
The development comes within days after Reliance Industries appointed Bhattacharya on its board as independent additional director.

Honors & Awards

10. India wins 2018 CAPAM International Innovations Awards

India has won the prestigious 2018 Commonwealth Association for Public Administration and Management Award.
This award celebrates the spirit of innovation in the public service by recognising organisations that have made significant contributions to improve governance and services in the public sector.
The Union Government had sent entries for 2018 CAPAM International Innovations Awards, under various categories.
The initiative entitled “Unnayan Banka- Reinventing Education Using Technology of Banka District, State of Bihar has been awarded under the category “Innovation Incubation”.
‘Unnayan Banka’ is an initiative which envisages ‘Quality education for all’ especially for those at the bottom of the pyramid, using latest technologies.

11. Tagore Award for Cultural Harmony for 2014, 2015 & 2016 announced

The Tagore Award for Cultural Harmony for the years 2014, 2015 & 2016 is being conferred.

2014: Sh. Rajkumar Singhajit Singh (doyen of Manipuri dance).
2015: Chhayanaut (cultural organization of Bangladesh).
2016: Sh. Ram Vanji Sutar (one of India’s greatest sculptors).
The first Tagore Award was conferred in 2012 to Pt. Ravi Shankar (Indian Sitar Maestro) and second conferred on Shri Zubin Mehta in 2013.
The chairman of the Jury was Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the jury comprised of the Chief Justice of India, Justice Ranjan Gogoi.

Note:

Tagore Award for Cultural Harmony has been instituted by the Government of India (GoI) in 2011 to commemorate the 150th Birth anniversary of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore (1861 – 1941).
The award has been given to artists and poets for promoting values of Universal Brotherhood and who has worked for "Cultural Harmony"
The award carries a prize of Rs. 1 crore, a Citation in a Scroll, a Plaque and traditional handicraft/handloom item.

Sports

12. Pooja Dhanda wins Bronze Medal in World Wrestling Championships in Budapest

Pooja Dhanda has won a bronze medal in the women's freestyle (57kg weight class) in Wrestling World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
Dhanda defeated Grace Bullen of Norway 10-7.
Earlier, Bajrang Punia's had settled for a silver in the 65kg category.
Before Pooja, only three Indian women grapplers (Alka Tomar, Geeta Phogat and Babita Phogat) had won a bronze medal each at the Worlds Championships.